By Kelly Kim Miller
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Recent active shootings struck fear in families nationwide, but local law enforcement offers some advice for how students can be prepared if it happens on campus. This summer, two active shooters targeted Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas. After these tragedies, three more unrelated shootings were attempted and stopped in Connecticut, Florida, and Ohio. The culprits, all twenty-something white males, tipped off law enforcement with alarming posts on social media saying they were ready to do the unthinkable.
The FBI identified an unsubstantiated threat to an unnamed school in Arkansas. At least four students were taken into custody by police for making threats to their respective schools in Gravette, Springdale, Blytheville, and Paris on August 29, 2019. Recent threats have students in Arkansas taking note in preparation for an unknown future. “I believe it can happen at any time and any place, mass shootings,” said Emma Villanueva, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas.
According to Colonel Bill Bryant of the Arkansas State Police, “The ASP encourages citizens to speak-up when they have information or have seen something that raises their suspicions. It is not uncommon for law enforcement investigators in the days following a random shooting incident, whether it is one, or many victims, finding someone who knew or had contact with the “shooter” who knew something that could have been important and used to prevent the shooting.”
UAPD Captain Gary Crain said that when an active shooting event happens to Avoid, Deny, and Defend. Avoid, meaning get away from the shooter as fast as possible. It is advised to run from the sound of gunshots and not to stop until a safe zone is reached.
Deny indicates what to do in case an exit cannot be found. Crain said that in that case one must lock him or herself and others in a room. Turning off the lights and remaining silent is the best thing to do until the danger has passed.
Defend is a last resort. If a person can’t run or hide from the shooter then he or she will have to fight back. Crain said that a person can improvise with nearby objects to distract or disorient the shooter. Keep in mind that self defense is a last resort and all other options must be exhausted before attempting to engage the shooter.
Above all else, students shouldn’t forget to call 911 for help. UAPD also recommends an app called the RAVE Guardian Safety app which can contact the university and UAPD in case of emergency.
Crain said in the previous documented cases where law enforcement was able to prevent an active shooting event that they were able to do so because they received a report from a concerned citizen who saw a disturbing post on social media. “With alerts from the public, police can be moved to prevent such tragedies,” Crain said.
In the meantime, UAPD implemented Operation Saturation in order to keep the campus safe for the first week of school. Crain said this is an operation that has been implemented for over a decade. For the first week of school, officers take on extra shifts and are scattered throughout the campus. “This is a safe area and we pray that it will stay that way,” Crain said.